LTFRB warns vs. jeepney carolers

Friday, December 9, 2011

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday said that any persons who are caroling, soliciting and other similar acts on board public utility vehicles (PUV) with the advent of the Christmas season will be arrested.

In a memorandum issued by LTFRB Director Ahmed Cuizon, PUJ drivers must report such incidents to his office, the Philippine National Police, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Land Transportation Office for appropriate action.

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Modus

Cuizon said that the modus operandi of these persons usually involve surreptitiously getting on board PUVs in loading and unloading areas, after which they would perform musical numbers or read ostensibly religious messages and then solicit money from the passengers.

“Said persons would also mention that they do not engage in snatching or theft; in effect, however, these statements serve as implied threats that coerce passengers into giving money less they end up as possible victims of such nefarious acts,” Cuizon said.

Cuizon said that apart from the inconvenience that these carolers and solicitors bring to the riding public, the manner in which they operate on board PUVs also causes hazards both to themselves as well as to the drivers and passengers.

“Disrupting normal public transportation, their acts are not only devoid of proper permits by government agencies, but are likewise improper since caroling and soliciting are better suited in places and facilities other than PUVs,” read Cuizon’s Memorandum Circular No. 2011-RD7-004 dated Dec. 7.

Good supply

Cuizon said that in consonance with the LTFRB terms and conditions of Certificates of Public Convenience, which provides that the PUV operator shall ensure that the commuting public has adequate, safe, convenient and environment-friendly and dependable public land transportation services, all PUV operators are enjoined to instruct their drivers to prohibit carolers and solicitors from engaging in fund-raising activities on board their units.